The Supervisory Board unanimously - that is including the active support of our large shareholder the German government - appointed Dr. Frank Appel as new Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Post AG.

Dr. Appel will assume office with immediate effect!

The Supervisory Board extended the contract of John Allan as Chief Financial Officer by two years until the end of 2010. This is an important decision for this company, which ensures continuity for the financial sector and serves as a signal to the capital markets.

The Supervisory Board is convinced that the appointment of Dr. Appel will ensure that the Group is strengthened strategically and that the challenges ahead will be tackled rigorously. The customer focus that he has successfully promoted in the Group's home and international markets will continue to generate additional growth for the company in the future. What this man has achieved for the Group can hardly be captured in a few words.

Dr. Appel has proven in the past that he makes quick and successful decisions on complex issues.

Dr. Appel is a strong team player, open and fair with employees and his fellow Management Board members, all of whom have promised their full support without any exception.

The prospects for the Group are good and with Dr. Appel we have won a top manager of our confidence as Chief Executive Officer.

The Supervisory Board thanked the outgoing Chief Executive Officer Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel for his outstanding achievements in creating the leading logistics company in more than 18 years.

I cannot and will not judge the events of the past few days, however: You have all seen that the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of the Group are strong and capable of acting. A clear and forward-looking decision was reached swiftly. And today I can say: This Management Board will with great intensity address and find solutions for the tasks lying ahead. Thank you.